AVENUE OF HONOUR

Permanent recognition of enlistment for military service was unrecognised prior to July 1915, when Robert Ludbrook sought recognition of volunteers and not solely the well-known.

There was no permanent recognition of enlistment for military service prior to July 1915, when Robert Ludbrook sought recognition of volunteers as well as the more well-known members of the armed forces. The Australian Natives Association, the Forward Ballarat Committee and E Lucas and Co arranged the initial tree planting on Arbour Day 1917. The significance of this project gained the influential attendance of both the Victorian Premier and the Commonwealth Defence Minister.

A suggestion was made that local sporting organisations take up work for planting more trees and the Ballarat Bowling Association of eight clubs was noted as a possible group which could handle the task. This association later planted trees in the Ballarat East section [of the Avenue or in Ballarat East?] .

The Lucas staff, along with other groups continued to plant trees.One of the largest sections was planted by the residents of the South Ridingin the Shire of Ballarat. Other local avenues in Ballarat are recorded, but it is the 3900 trees from the Arch of Victory to Burrumbeet and northward to near Learmonth thatbecame the main focus of public opinion then and that focus remains to this day.